Importance and Benefits of Yoga Cleansing

Updated on December 27, 2015

The Process of Detoxification

The best way to understand the importance of body cleansing is to use the analogy of a vehicle. If you use it regularly, at some point the various parts of the vehicle will suffer from wear and tear. Hence, it is important to clean it not only from the outside, but most especially on the inside. This will help to maintain the good condition of your vehicle and ensure their top performance at all times.

The same level of care must also be relegated to your internal health systems and organs to ensure that they function properly. Free radicals are toxic substances that accumulate in your body and internal organs as a form of residue from the food you eat. Therefore, you can begin by assessing your diet pattern to see whether you need to make any changes on the food you intake regularly. There are also lifestyle choices that you need to alter or eliminate since they contribute to the formation of such bodily toxins. An example would be smoking, drinking, and an irregular sleeping habits.

You might not experience the benefits now, but you will in the long run. But you do not necessarily have to wait until that happens before you do something.

What is Yoga Cleansing?

The accumulation of toxins in your body is a natural process, thus making it inevitable. This also makes it all the more important to employ effective body cleansing techniques. Apart from the health benefits it offer, yoga is also good at preventing illnesses through its cleansing techniques.

Yoga's concept regarding the union of mind and body works efficiently with the cleansing method. Your first step towards a holistic cleansing is getting rid of the negative attitude and replacing them with good habits, as exhibited in the first two stages of yama and niyama. Then, you will move onto the cleansing of the body through the execution of yoga exercises. These asanas or poses contribute to improving the function of your internal organs and improve blood circulation for proper assimilation of nutrients throughout the body.

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Hatha Yoga Cleansing System

Under the philosophy of Hatha Yoga are six cleansing practices and techniques. These are targeted to specific areas of the body, which includes the following:

In Neti, there are a variety of proposed medium for cleansing your nasal system. Your choices include water, ghee, thread, and milk.

In Dhauti, cleansing is done on the following essential organs: eyes, ears, esophagus, tongue, stomach, scalp, and anus.

In Nauli, cleansing is focused on the abdominal region using massaging techniques.

In Kapalbhati, your brain is cleansed using either air or water.

In Trataka, it sharpens your psychic and optic ability by visualizing a particular object or thought.

Using Kunjal Kriya Techniques for Cleansing

For a cleansing on your upper digestive and the respiratory systems, this is the cleansing method to use. The method is known as back-flushing and is done once a day to get rid of any toxins. The cleansing usually involves eliminating any toxins on the mucus lining of your abdominal system, much like removing external dead skin cells.

Prepare at least a liter of lukewarm water and add half a teaspoon of salt. Intake that salty water solution by gulping it to ensure that you take in as much as possible. Fight the urge to throw the water out since the taste can be extremely unpleasant. Once you have completely taken the water solution in, bend your torso in front in a 90-degree angle. Keep both feet close together, then use both ring and middle fingers to grab inside your throat.

This motion will result to the belching out of the water solution off your stomach, thus cleansing various parts of your upper digestive system. Repeat the same procedure as often as possible for a total cleansing.

Using Jal Neti

Like Kunjal Kriya, this also utilizes water for cleansing. However, it targets your respiratory tract and will require two Jal Neti pots specifically for this purpose. Place lukewarm water inside these pots and preferably use rock salt at about a teaspoon to match your body's natural salt level.

There are no hard and fast rules in performing this, you can either stand up or sit on a chair. Using the nozzle of the pot, place it next to one of your nostrils to allow the water to flow out of the pot and into your nose. The water solution will then drain out of your other nostril. Once one of the pots have been emptied, use the remaining pot on your other nostril following the same procedure.

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Using Shankaprakshala

For this particular yoga cleansing method, there are variations: the short and full version. It will still involve the use of a water solution and is beneficial for your digestive system. The main difference between these two variations of Shankaprakshala yoga cleansing is in terms of the period at which they must be performed, with the full version apparently being the longer one.

The procedure involves prepare about 2 cups of lukewarm water. Then, add substantial amount of salt into the solution. You need to gulp down the entire salt water solution. Once you have taken in the entire mixture, you are required to execute 5 yoga poses in 8 repetitions. After about 6 glasses, you will feel the need to move your bowels. If not, then keep going until you do.

Shank Prakshalana

Why Perform Yoga Cleansing?

The main objective with cleansing using yoga techniques is to prepare the body for the deeper, spiritual experience. Indeed, purification of the body is one of the core components in yoga. This is serves as the foundation at which relaxation and meditation will follow.

Once you have attained the proper level of mind clarity, only then are you able to successfully proceed through the next step (which is performance of yoga asanas) in your practice of yoga.

Safety Measures and Warnings

To ensure your safety while using yoga for body cleansing, especially without the supervision of a yoga expert, you need to keep the following pointers in mind:

If possible, avoid practicing yoga cleansing based on books alone. It is best to have physical instruction and guidance from a yoga professional.

Avoid performing these cleansing techniques on a daily basis, unless advised by your therapist or physician.

Follow instructions carefully. Any lapses or tiny bit of error can cause serious damage to your internal organs and systems.

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Comments 7 comments

Chuck Bluestein 2 years ago from Morristown, AZ, USA

I have been doing yoga since age 12. The very best way to cleanse the body has been done by Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad and Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma is a title. Maha means great like Maharaja-- great king. Atma means soul. This practice is known as fasting and it gives the digestive system and whole body a rest. Many Christian do it for spiritual clarity. Many people in India also do it for boons (favors of God).

sachin Patil 6 years ago

Veri good and helpful article for prcaticing yoga

yoga business 6 years ago

Great hub. Having been using for jala neti now daily for 4 years straight, its now like brushing my teeth. I just don't feel clean and awake and ready to face the day! And the best thing is, I hardly ever get any colds or respiratory problems.

Thanks for a great article. Many practices I am not as famlliar with and I feel like I learned new and valuable information. I have shared this link on my facebook today as I look for something I place value on to share there each day. I appreciate your knowledge and how you present it.